Germany's Merck Will Expand R&D in China
From Associated Press (November 23, 2009)
FRANKFURT--German drugmaker Merck KGaA said Monday the company
plans to invest euro150 million ($225 million) in a global research
and development center in Beijing for its Serono drugs
division.
Merck, based in Darmstadt, said the center would create more than
200 new jobs over the next four years.
"The creation of the China R&D center marks a new milestone in
Merck Serono's commitment to China, where there is a rising demand
for more health care options," Elmar Schnee, a Merck board member
responsible for pharmaceuticals said in a statement.
"We are committed to investing in areas that can help China to
address some of its public health needs that currently are not
met," he said.
The company said it will recruit researchers in China and that the
organization there would become one of the key R&D hubs for
Merck Serono worldwide, working closely with other R&D centers
in Germany, Switzerland and the United States.
Merck said its Beijing team will lead drug development for China
and other Asian countries, administer local clinical trials, and
also participate in global clinical trials. The new center will
also ensure the management of collaborations with research
institutions in China and continue to look for partnerships with
local academic institutions and companies, Merck said.
Merck in Germany is not related to the company of the same name in
the U.S.
Shares of Merck were 2.3 percent higher at euro65.70 in Frankfurt
morning trading.
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On the Net:
http://www.merck.de
Posted: November 2009
